What a signing! Former England defender Ferdinand joins QPR

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has joined Premier League Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer after he was released by Manchester United, the London club said on Thursday.

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Ferdinand, 35, has signed a one-year contract with QPR who were promoted back to the top flight through the second tier playoffs last season.

The centre back, who played 81 times for England, ended his 12-year spell at United at the end of last season after making more than 400 appearances for them and winning almost every honour in the game.

He will link up with manager Harry Redknapp, who helped nurture Ferdinand when the pair were together at West Ham United.

“I spoke to Harry and (chairman) Mr (Tony) Fernandes at length. I think they both looked me in the eye and knew that I still have something to offer – that I had a genuine desire to come here and play football," Ferdinand said in a statement.

"I had a lot of offers from all over the world – some in places with a better climate than here. But the draw for me was to play in the Premier League and back here where it all started.

"It’s not about money – I had loads of more lucrative offers available to me.

"I still feel I’ve got something to offer and I’m excited about helping this club cement its place in the Premier League."

British media reported that Ferdinand was not offered a new contract by United, where he won six Premier League trophies, two League Cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.

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Ecuador striker Enner Valencia has joined West Ham United for an undisclosed fee from Mexican side Pachuca, the Premier League club said.

The 25-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Upton Park and the deal is subject to a successful work permit hearing, West Ham said on their website.

No fee was revealed but British media reports said the deal was worth 12 million pounds ($20.52 million).

Valencia, 25, scored all three of Ecuador's goals at the World Cup in Brazil - two against Honduras and one against Switzerland - before the side's group-stage elimination.

He made his debut for Ecuadorian club side Emelec in 2010 and went to make more than 100 appearances before joining Pachuca in January this year. He scored 18 goals in 23 league games last season.

Valencia is West Ham's fifth summer signing following the captures of midfielder Diego Poyet from Charlton, striker Mauro Zarate from Velez Sarsfield, Anderlecht midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and Ipswich fullback Aaron Cresswell.

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Newcastle United have signed Dutch World Cup defender Daryl Janmaat on a six-year-deal from Feyenoord, the Premier League club announced late on Thursday.

Janmaat, 24, made five appearances for the Netherlands in Brazil and scored five goals in 63 league appearances since joining Feyenoord from Heerenveen in 2012.

No transfer fee was announced but British media reported Newcastle paid around five million pounds ($8.55 million) for Janmaat, whose arrival allowed France fullback Mathieu Debuchy to complete his move to Arsenal.

Janmaat joins midfielders Remy Cabella, Siem de Jong and Jack Colback, and striker Ayoze Perez as off-season arrivals at Newcastle, who open their league campaign against champions ManchesterCity on Aug. 17.

Janmaat told the club's official website: "Newcastle is a fantastic club, with a big history and a great stadium. I have also been told all about how great the fans are.

"This is the perfect move for me, and I am really looking forward to being with the team and getting started here at Newcastle. I think we are going to have a great season."

Manager Alan Pardew said he was delighted to see Janmaat join the club, adding: "Daryl had an excellent World Cup and we are looking forward to him continuing that form for Newcastle."

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Arsenal have signed France right back Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee, the London club said on Thursday.

The 28-year-old has been recruited as a ready-made replacement for Bacary Sagna, who quit Arsenal for ManchesterCity on a free transfer at the end of last season.

Debuchy, who has recently returned from the World Cup where he was part of the France squad that reached the quarter-finals, is thought to have cost around 12 million pounds ($20.52 million), according to British media reports.

"We are delighted to welcome Mathieu Debuchy to Arsenal Football Club. He has shown he can perform at the highest level with his club sides and also for France," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on the club website.

Arsenal were in the market for a right back after Sagna walked out on the club having let his contract run down.